The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-02-04
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
q Mutiny at Sea-
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL
CHAPTER Nv.-CoSrrxuEp

doCgedly. 1--WE mean to put off in the
long-boat and one o them Guarter-boats.
The quarter-hoat can tow the long-bcat
II rs calm. Why ak you how many
the long-boat nd carry, was because
we don't want to overload the quar-
ter-boat We can use her as a tender
for stores and water, do You see. so
that II we get to a barren place we
shan't starve'
Il understand"
Them two boats'll be enough, any
ways
Il should say so. They'd carry
thirty persons between them, 1 an
swered.
To satisfy himself he went and took
another look at the boats, and after
ward called johnson up to him.
They talked together for some time
aad then procuring chisel and Ratchet
got into the port quarter-boat and pro-
ceeded 10 rip portion of the planking
out of her. Ny rage and modification
were so great at this action. which vas
clearly taken to prevent our escaping aft
er they had deserted Us upon the sinking
ship. that l did not trust myself to
speak to the carpenter. although he
stood by HE after the work was done
evidently expecting ME to question
him.
The men then proceeded to load the
remaining quarter-boat with about a
quarter more provisions than she was
fit to carry. They also supplied the
long-boat with sails. oars and other ar
ticles necessary to the expected cruise
IN her.
After | had taken the suns altitude
at noon and while the carpenter and |
were in the cabin. where l had been
working out my observations. l said to
him:
Perhaps you'll sit down for five
minutes, Mr.. Stevens, and inform me
exactly of your arrangements; for it is
difficult for me TO do my share in this
job dnless l accurately know what
yours is to be"
He looked at NE askant, his villain
Gus eyes right in the corners of their
sockets. but sat down. nevertheless.
and TILTED his cap over his forehead in
order TO scratch the hack of his head.
Il thought YOU knew what our plans
WASP he remarked.
why. I've got a kind of general
notion of them. bat should like to I'M
derstand them more clearly"
well. thought theS was clear
clear as mud IN a wine-glass. Least
ways, they re clear to Ill hands"
For instance. why did you knock a
hole in the Guarter-boat this morn
ing?'
Il didn't think you'd want that ex-
planned" he answered. promptly.
but YOU see do. Mr. Stevens
well. We only want two boats. and
1t nd be silly lookout to leave the
third one sound and tight. to drift
about with the Grosvenors name writ
inside O. her"
..Why?'
Because say it would"
How could she drift about If she
We're up at the davits'"
How do l know" he answered.
morosely. I'm lookiu' ut things as
may happen. 1t ain for me to explain
of them"
Very WE'LL" said l. master enough
of the rufiian's meaning to require no
further information on this point.
ANY thing more, Mr.. Royles"
.'1eS. The next matter is this: You
gave me to understand that We should
heave the ship 10 at nights'
''Sartiniy. As soon is ever il comes
en- dusk, so as We shall have all night
before Us 10 get well away"
DO you mean to leave her with her
canvas standing?n
just as she is when she's hove to-"
Some ship may sight iler and find
ing her abandoned. send 4 crew on
board to work her to the nearest
port.
l thought this might tempt him to
admit that she was to be scuttled.
which confession need not necessarily
have involved the information that l
and the others were to be left on
board.
But the fellow was too cunning to
hint 1t such a thing.
''Let them As finds her keep her, he
said. getting up. That's their con-
sarn- Amy more questions, Mr..
Roylea'
Are we to take our clothes with
us9''
He grinned in the oldest manner.
No. Them as has wallyables may
shove 'em into their pockets; but no
kits Ii be allowed in the boats. We're
4 poor lot o shipwrecked sailors
mariners, as the newspapers calls Us
come away from ship that was
settlin' under our legs afore We had
the arts to leave her. We Just had
time to wit.ol the boats and stand for
the shore. We depend upon Christian
kindness for clip; and if we fails foul
o . missionary. leave me alone TO
skipper ne fell mad and juIneed over
board. The chief mate he lost his life
by springin' into vun o the boats and
missin' of it: and the second mate he
manfully stuck to the ship for the love
he bore her owners. and we presume,
went down with her."
oh calculated. forcing laugh;
-'then l am not TO admit that | am the
second mate, when questioned"
He stared at me rs if ne were
drunk, and cried. You then burst
into laugh, and hit me slap on the
back
'.Ah.' he exclaimed. Il forgot OF
course you II not be second mate when
YOU get ashore"
What them"
why, pessenger-a parson-the
ships doctor Wen tell YOU wot to
say as we go along.
And with leeriRg grin and an ugly
word he left the cabin
CHAPTER XVI
Imade up my mind. as Stevens left
me. to bring this terrible time to an